On Wednesday, at approximately 10 a.m., a two-vehicle collision occurred on NC-55 at NC-903, near Seven Springs.

According to Highway Patrol, a minivan was traveling south on NC-903. An 18-wheeler loaded with harvested timber was traveling west on NC-55. The minivan failed to yield the right-of-way from the stop sign and moved directly into the path of the 18-wheeler, which was traveling at highway speed. Both vehicles collided and came to rest on the south side of NC-55. An independent witness to the collision corroborated the physical evidence at the scene.

The driver and the front seat passenger of the minivan were pronounced deceased on-scene. Both were wearing seat belts. The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured. A passenger in the 18-wheeler was transported to the hospital for medical assessment.

Names of involved parties are being withheld, pending next-of-kin notification. Trp. G. J. Smith is the primary investigator. On the scene were Sandy Bottom Volunteer Fire Department, Seven Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Lenoir County EMS, Lenoir County Emergency Management, North Carolina State Highway Patrol.